American Gastroenterological Association Institute technical review on the management of gastric subepithelial masses

Minimally invasive treatment strategies for submucosal tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract: Advances in innovative endoscopy-based therapies

The increasing detection of submucosal tumors (SMTs) in the upper gastrointestinal tract (UGI) is due to the increased clinical use of endoscopy and imaging technology. Some of these SMTs have malignant potential and may cause clinical symptoms. Thus, it is recommended in clinical guidelines to consider resection of these SMTs. Endoscopic techniques have become widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of SMT in the UGI as compared with traditional surgery due to their advantages of minimally invasive, quick recovery, and economical cost. Recently, new endoscopic techniques and instruments have been continuously implemented, leading to revolutionary innovation in endoscopic treatments. However, the safety and efficacy of these innovative techniques remain unclear. Therefore, we have comprehensively summarized the various techniques used in the treatment of UGI tumors in recent years, evaluated the indications and effects of each technique, and compared their benefits and disadvantages. We hope that this review will provide a more comprehensive reference for clinical and endoscopic practitioners, and help them develop more individualized treatment plans for different patients. This will ultimately expand the patient population that can benefit from these innovative technologies.

Factors Associated with Clinically Significant Extrinsic Compression on Gastroduodenal Endoscopy

BACKGROUND

Although clinicians frequently encounter incidentally detected gastroduodenal extrinsic compressive lesions (GDECLs) on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE), the optimal management approach for GDECLs has not been fully established. This study aimed to stratify and identify important factors associated with clinically significant GDECLs that require regular follow-up or further treatment.

METHODS

Between June 2007 and December 2015, a total of 73 patients with suspected GDECLs on UGE at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong were identified and studied retrospectively. After the final diagnosis, patients were divided into the following two groups: clinically significant GDECLs, which requires regular follow-up or further treatment, and clinically non-significant GDECLs.

RESULTS

Among 73 GDECLs, 23 (31.5%) lesions were classified as clinically significant GDECLs and 50 (68.5%) as clinically non-significant GDECLs. In multivariate analysis, clinical and endoscopic parameters that were independently associated with clinically significant GDECLs included older age (≥ 60 years), large size (≥ 4 cm) of extrinsic compression, previous history of intra-abdominal malignancy, and symptoms of abdominal distension (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Several clinical and endoscopic parameters showed significant association with the identification of clinically significant GDECLs on endoscopy. These predictive factors might be useful in determining whether to perform further diagnostic work-up in patients with GDECLs.

Correlation of preoperative CT features with intra- and postoperative parameters of endoscopic resection in patients with gastric submucosal tumor (1~3 cm)

OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic resection of gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) possesses minimal trauma, expedited recovery, and reduced costs. Nonetheless, intraoperative challenges, including imprecise surgical risk assessment, prevail. Hence, we investigated the correlation between preoperative CT observation features and perioperative parameters for predicting outcomes in SMT patients.

METHODS

Subjects diagnosed with SMT and undergoing endoscopic surgery conducted at West China Hospital's Endoscopy Center from September 2019 to October 2023 were retrospectively selected. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and computer tomography (CT) were utilized for evaluating SMT. The study assessed the correlation between preoperative CT findings and perioperative parameters.

RESULTS

Increased lesion size on contrast-enhanced CT correlates with increased operative duration, hospital stay, postoperative antibiotic use. Of utmost significance, we observed a significantly higher intraoperative perforation rate for patients with tumor outgrowth compared to those with lesion involvement of the lumen (96.88% vs 29.11%, P < 0.001). These patients also demonstrated an increased risk of postoperative blood stream infections (P = 0.012), necessitating higher antibiotic grade (P = 0.048), along with prolonged gastrostomy tube retention (P = 0.001) and hospitalization (P = 0.018). In addition, CT provides a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of tumor size (P = 0.037) and growth pattern (P = 0.026) than EUS.

CONCLUSION

CT assessment of tumor size closer to reality than EUS. Importantly, these features can assist in pinpointing lesions with elevated surgical complexity and high risk of complications, leading to improved preoperative preparation, thereby increasing anticipation of surgical risks and reducing incidence of complications.

Recurrent gastric intramural pseudocyst: A case report and comprehensive literature review of reported cases

Intramural gastric pseudocysts are extremely rare and are often associated with pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocysts; they can lead to complex clinical presentations requiring careful diagnosis and management. We present a case of a 57-year-old man with a history of pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocysts who was diagnosed with intramural gastric pseudocysts. The patient was diagnosed with multiple gastric intramural pseudocysts at different locations during separate admissions and imaging studies. This indicates a recurrence of gastric intramural pseudocysts. In these cases, studies rarely discuss recurrence and its underlying causes. This highlights a significant gap in the existing literature. To provide a broader understanding, we reviewed the literature by searching major databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and then extracted and analyzed data from 18 articles, reaching 24 similar cases. Of the 25 patients studied (including our case), 92% were male and 8% were female. Cases had a mean age of 47.68 ± 14.82 years. Additionally, 84% of the patients had a history of alcohol consumption, and 88% had a positive history of pancreatitis. Common symptoms were abdominal pain (especially in the epigastric region), vomiting, nausea, and weight loss. In conclusion, results showed that intramural gastric pseudocysts generally occur in middle-aged men with a history of chronic or heavy alcohol consumption and pancreatitis.

Common Symptoms and a Rare Diagnosis: A Case of Duodenal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Presenting as Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (D-GISTs) are a rare subtype of GISTs, accounting for only 4% to 5% of all GIST cases. This case report details the presentation, diagnosis, and management of a 48-year-old female who presented with melena and anemia and was eventually diagnosed with a D-GIST. The tumor was identified through imaging studies, and histopathology performed after surgical resection revealed a submucosal neoplasm composed of spindle cells with extensive hemorrhage and necrosis. Given the tumor's rarity and its challenging presentation, which can mimic other conditions such as pancreatic masses, the case underscores the importance of considering D-GIST in differential diagnoses of duodenal or pancreatic lesions. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, with adjuvant therapy considered in high-risk cases to prevent recurrence.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) in Pediatric Patients: A Case Report and Literature Review

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that primarily affect adults, with pediatric cases constituting only 0.5-2.7% of the total. Pediatric GISTs present unique clinical, genetic, and pathological features that distinguish them from adult cases. This literature review aims to elucidate these differences, emphasizing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We discuss the resistance of pediatric GISTs to conventional chemotherapy and highlight the importance of surgical intervention, especially in emergency situations involving intra-abdominal bleeding. The review also explores the molecular characteristics of pediatric GISTs, including rare mutations such as quadruple-negative wild-type GIST with an FGF3 gene gain mutation. To illustrate these points, we conclude with a case from our clinic involving a 15-year-old female with multiple CD117-positive gastric GISTs and a quadruple-negative wild-type genetic profile who required urgent surgical intervention following a failed tumor embolization. This case underscores the critical need for early diagnosis and individualized therapeutic strategies combining oncologic and surgical care to improve outcomes in pediatric GIST patients.

Esophageal Atresia and Gastric Ectopic Pancreas: Is There a Real Association?

OBJECTIVE

 Heterotopic pancreas (HP) is a condition in which there is well-differentiated pancreatic tissue that lacks any anatomic or vascular contact with the pancreatic gland. It normally arises from the stomach but can be found in other locations. Although it is usually asymptomatic, obstructive symptoms, bleeding, or malignant degeneration can occur. The incidence is very low, but it is significantly more common in patients with esophageal atresia (EA). The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of HP in patients with and without EA and to compare the results in both groups.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

 We conducted a 2-year prospective study in pediatric patients who benefited from an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients were divided into two groups: group "A" comprised patients with EA and group "B" those without EA. The variables analyzed were the clinical presentation, presence of HP, location, associated malformations, genetic disorders, and management.

RESULTS

 A total of 192 consecutive patients were included in the study: 51 (26.6%) in group A and 141 (73.4%) in group B. Indications for endoscopy in group B were eosinophilic esophagitis in 37 (19.2%) patients, celiac disease in 23 (11.95%) patients, and other disorders in 81 (42.2%) patients. Gastric HP was found in seven patients, all of them in group A. All lesions were hosted in the prepyloric antrum. The prevalence of HP in groups A and B was 13.7 and 0%, respectively (p < 0.05). Female gender was predominant in patients with AE and HP, this result being statistically significant (p = 0.044). No other associated malformation or genetic syndrome studied showed association with HP. Only one patient debuted with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and required excision, while six patients were asymptomatic. The mean follow-up was 54 months (range: 45-78 months).

CONCLUSION

 The incidence of gastric HP is more common in patients with EA, with the female gender being a risk factor for their association. Active search and follow-up is recommended as it may become symptomatic anytime and need resection.

Safety and efficacy of a modified endoscopic full-thickness resection technique for gastric submucosal tumors: a case series

Objectives

Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) has proven effective and economical for patients with gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs). However, the poor operative field of view, the risk of massive hemorrhage, and the difficulties in defect closure have limited its widespread application. Herein, we described a modified EFTR technique developed to simplify the dissection and defect closure procedures using common and economical endoscopic accessories.

Methods

Forty-two patients who underwent the modified EFTR for gastric SMTs in the Shenzhen Guangming District People's Hospital were enrolled in the case series. Following a cross incision to expose the intraluminal surface the tumors were captured by suction through a transparent cap and the roots were ligated using a loop. The tumors and part of the suction tissue were removed along the ligated root. A tension-relieving closure was performed by clipping the raised plica in four quadrants outside the ligated root. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

All tumors had an R0 resection. The median procedure time was 51.8 min (IQR 34.25 min). No severe perioperative adverse events occurred. No residual lesion or recurrence was reported during the follow-up period of 9.84 months (IQR 5.0 months).

Conclusion

The safety and practicability of Modified-EFTR could allow for wide clinical application in patients with micro-gastric SMTs.

Comparing gastrointestinal stromal tumor outcomes between geriatric and non-geriatric patients: A population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the GI tract. SEER is an extensive cancer database which proves useful in analyzing population trends. This analysis investigated GIST outcomes between geriatric & non-geriatric patients.

METHODS

SEER*STAT 8.4.0.1 was used to extract relevant GIST data from 2000 to 2019. Geriatric age was defined as ≥70 years. Variables included age, sex, surgery, cancer-specific death, and overall survival. Statistical tests included univariate analysis using KM survival estimate (95% confidence interval) to calculate 5-year survival (5YS). Log-Rank tests determined statistical significance. Multivariable Cox's PH regression estimated the geriatric hazard death ratio adjusted for sex, stage, and surgery.

RESULTS

The number of patients included was 13,579, yielding overall 5YS of 68.6% (95% CI 67.7-69.5). Cancer-specific death was 39.11% in 2000 & 3.33% in 2019. Non-geriatric & geriatric patient data yielded 5YS of 77.4% (76.4%-78.3%) and 53.3% (51.7%-54.8%) respectively (p < 0.0001). For no surgery/surgery, younger patient data yielded 5YS of 48.7% (45.8%-51.4%) and 83.7% (82.7%-84.7%) respectively (p < 0.0001); geriatric data yielded 5YS of 29.3% (26.5%-32.1%) and 62.8% (60.8%-64.6%) respectively (p < 0.0001). Multivariable analysis yielded a geriatric hazard death of 2.56 (2.42-2.70) (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer-specific death decreased since 2000, indicating an improvement in survival & treatment methods. Observed lower survival rates overall in the geriatric group. Surgery appeared to enhance survival rates in both groups, suggesting that surgery is an important factor in GIST survival regardless of age. Large prospective studies will help define clinical management for geriatric patients.

Feasibility of endoscopic resection and impact of endoscopic ultrasound-based surveillance on colorectal subepithelial tumors

BACKGROUND

Owing to the rising number of screening endoscopies and instrumental advances in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), colorectal subepithelial tumors (SETs) are being increasingly detected. We aimed to determine the feasibility of endoscopic resection (ER) and the impact of EUS-based surveillance on colorectal SETs.

METHODS

The medical records of 984 patients with incidentally detected colorectal SETs between 2010 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, 577 colorectal SETs underwent ER, and 71 colorectal SETs underwent serial colonoscopy for > 12 months.

RESULTS

The mean tumor size (± standard deviation) of 577 colorectal SETs for which ER was performed was 7.0 ± 5.7 (median, 55; range, 1-50) mm; 475 tumors were located in the rectum and 102, in the colon. En bloc resection was achieved in 560/577 treated lesions (97.1%), and complete resection was achieved in 516/577 (89.4%). ER-related adverse events occurred in 15/577 (2.6%) patients. SETs originating from the muscularis propria showed a higher risk of ER-related adverse events and perforation than SETs arising from the mucosal or submucosal layer (odds ratio [OR] 19.786, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.556-85.919; P = 0.002 and OR 141.250, 95% CI 11.596-1720.492; P = 0.046, respectively). Seventy-one patients were followed up after EUS without any treatment for > 12 months, during which three showed progression; eight, regression; and sixty, no changes.

CONCLUSIONS

ER for colorectal SETs showed excellent efficacy and safety. Additionally, colorectal SETs without high-risk features in surveillance with colonoscopy showed an excellent prognosis.

Goldilocks principle of minimally invasive surgery for gastric subepithelial tumors

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive surgery had been tailored to individual cases of gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) after comparing the clinical outcomes of endoscopic resection (ER), laparoscopic resection (LR), and hybrid methods.

AIM

To study the use of Goldilocks principle to determine the best form of minimally invasive surgery for gastric SETs.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 194 patients of gastric SETs with high probability of surgical intervention were included. All patients underwent tumor resection in the operating theater between January 2013 and December 2021. The patients were divided into two groups, ER or LR, according to the tumor characteristics and the initial intent of intervention. Few patients in the ER group required further backup laparoscopic surgery after an incomplete ER. The patients who had converted open surgery were excluded. A logistic regression model was used to assess the associations between patient characteristics and the likelihood of a treatment strategy. The area under the curve was used to assess the discriminative ability of tumor size and Youden's index to determine the optimal cut-off tumor size.

RESULTS

One-hundred ninety-four patients (100 in the ER group and 94 in the LR group) underwent tumor resection in the operating theater. In the ER group, 27 patients required backup laparoscopic surgery after an incomplete ER. The patients in the ER group had small tumor sizes and shorter procedure durations while the patients in the LR group had large tumor sizes, exophytic growth, malignancy, and tumors that were more often located in the middle or lower third of the stomach. Both groups had similar durations of hospital stays and a similar rate of major postoperative complications. The patients in the ER group who underwent backup surgery required longer procedures (56.4 min) and prolonged stays (2 d) compared to the patients in the LR group without the increased rate of major postoperative complications. The optimal cut-off point for the tumor size for laparoscopic surgery was 2.15 cm.

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary teamwork leads to the adoption of different strategies to yield efficient clinical outcomes according to the tumor characteristics.

A modified exposed endoscopic full-thickness resection: Traction-assisted resection while defect closing

OBJECTIVES

Exposed endoscopic full-thickness resection (Eo-EFTR) has proven effective and economical for patients with gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs), showing great prospects. However, the poor operative field of view, the risk of tumors falling into the peritoneal cavity, especially the difficulties in defect closure, have limited its widespread application. Herein, we described a modified traction-assisted Eo-EFTR technique aimed at simplifying both the dissection and defect closure procedures.

METHODS

Nineteen patients who underwent the modified Eo-EFTR for gastric SMTs in the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital were enrolled in the study. Following a 2/3 circumferential full-thickness incision, a clip with dental floss was anchored to the resected part of the tumor surface. With the dental floss traction, the gastric defect was reshaped into a V shape, which facilitated the deployment of clips to close the defect. The defect closure and tumor dissection procedures were then performed alternately. Patients' demographics, tumor characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

All tumors had an R0 resection. The median procedure time was 43 min (range 28-89 min). No severe perioperative adverse events occurred. Two patients experienced transient fever, and three patients complained of mild abdominal pain on the first day after the operation. All patients recovered on the next day with conservative management. No residual lesion or recurrence was reported during the follow-up period of 30.1 months.

CONCLUSION

The safety and practicability of the modified technique might allow for wide clinical applications of Eo-EFTR in gastric SMTs.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors in the Stomach

Background/Aims

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors in the stomach. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of endoscopic treatment for gastric GISTs.

Methods

This is a single center, retrospective study that enrolled 135 cases of gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) resected by endoscopic procedures and confirmed as GISTs by histopathology from March 2005 to July 2019. The immediate and long-term clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The mean patient age was 57.9 years, and the mean tumor size was 2.1 cm. Of the tumors, 43.0% were located in the body, followed by the fundus (26.7%) and cardia (17.0%). Most tumors (85.2%) were resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection, followed by endoscopic mucosal resection (6.7%), submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (5.9%), and endoscopic full-thickness resection (2.2%). Macroperforation occurred in 4.4% and microperforation in 6.7% of the cases. The R0 resection rate was 15.6%. However, the rate of complete resection by the endoscopic view was 90.4%, of which 54.8% of cases were in the very-low-risk group, followed by the low-risk group (28.1%), intermediate-risk group (11.9%), and high-risk group (5.2%). During 36.5 months of follow-up, recurrence was found in four (3.4%) of the 118 patients who were monitored for more than 6 months (low-risk group, 1/37 [2.7%]; intermediate-risk group, 2/11 [18.2%]; high-risk group, 1/6 [16.7%]).

Conclusions

Endoscopic treatment of a GIST appears to be a feasible procedure in selected cases. However, additional surgery should be considered if the pathologic results correspond to intermediate- or high-risk groups.

Extensive heterotopic pancreas in a rare site: A case report and a review of literature

RATIONALE

Heterotopic pancreas is a pancreatic tissue that occurs outside the normal anatomical site, the most common site is antrum. Due to the lack of specific imaging and endoscopic signs, heterotopic pancreas especially those occurring in the rare site, are often misdiagnosed, and leading to unnecessary surgical treatment. Endoscopic incisional biopsy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration are effective means for diagnosing heterotopic pancreas. We reports a case of extensive heterotopic pancreas in a rare site, which was finally diagnosed by this way.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 62-year-old man was admitted due to the presence of an angular notch lesion, which was suspected as gastric cancer before. He denied any history of tumor or gastric disease.

DIAGNOSES

No abnormality was found in the physical examination and laboratory testing after admission. Computed tomography showed localized thickening of the gastric wall measuring 30 mm in the long diameter. Gastroscope revealed a nodular-like submucosal protuberance at the angular notch with size of about 3*4 cm. Ultrasonic gastroscope showed that the lesion was located in the submucosa. The lesion exhibited mixed echogenicity. The diagnosis can not be identified.

INTERVENTIONS

2 times of incision biopsy were performed to make a clear diagnosis. Finally, appropriate tissue specimens were obtained for pathology testing.

OUTCOMES

The patient was diagnosed as heterotopic pancreas according to pathology. He was recommended to undergo observation and regular follow-ups rather than surgery. Then he was discharged home with no discomfort.

LESSONS

Heterotopic pancreas occurring in the angular notch is extremely rare, the site is scarcely reported in the relevant literature. Therefore, it is easy to be misdiagnosed. In the cases of an vague diagnosis, endoscopic incisional biopsy or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration may be a good choice.

Laparoscopic transgastric enucleation of a giant leiomyoma near the esophagogastric junction: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Gastric subepithelial tumors are surgically treated by tumorectomy without lymphadectomy, and many operations are currently performed via the minimally invasive technique. However, when they occur near the esophagogastric junction and the pyloric ring, there is a possibility that subtotal or total gastrectomy is required for tumor resection.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 18-year-old man presented with anemia. A giant subepithelial tumor near the esophagogastric junction was seen on a gastroscopy performed to find the cause of anemia. A computed tomography scan revealed a 7.5-cm homogeneous soft tissue mass near the esophagogastric junction, suggesting leiomyoma or gastrointestinal stromal tumors as gastric subepithelial tumors. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed an inhomogeneous and hypoechoic mass, consistent with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. An endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy was performed, resulting in a diagnosis of leiomyoma. We performed the laparoscopic transgastric enucleation, and the final pathology report showed complete resection of a benign leiomyoma.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Laparoscopic surgery may be challenging for subepithelial tumors of the esophagogastric junction, but laparoscopic transgastric enucleation may be considered if the lesion is benign after a fine needle biopsy.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of a very young patient for whom laparoscopic transgastric enucleation of a giant gastric leiomyoma near the esophagogastric junction was a feasible organ-sparing procedure.

Endoscopic Ultrasound Advanced Techniques for Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) are subepithelial lesions (SELs) that commonly develop in the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs, unlike other SELs, can exhibit malignant behavior, so differential diagnosis is critical to the decision-making process. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is considered the most accurate imaging method for diagnosing and differentiating SELs in the gastrointestinal tract by assessing the lesions precisely and evaluating their malignant risk. Due to their overlapping imaging characteristics, endosonographers may have difficulty distinguishing GISTs from other SELs using conventional EUS alone, and the collection of tissue samples from these lesions may be technically challenging. Even though it appears to be less effective in the case of smaller lesions, histology is now the gold standard for achieving a final diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary and invasive treatment for benign SELs. The use of enhanced EUS modalities and elastography has improved the diagnostic ability of EUS. Furthermore, recent advancements in artificial intelligence systems that use EUS images have allowed them to distinguish GISTs from other SELs, thereby improving their diagnostic accuracy.

Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy for Detection of Early Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer

Esophageal and gastric cancers are common diseases with high morbidity and mortality; thus, early detection and treatment are beneficial to improve prognosis. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a novel imaging technique that permits the histological analysis of tissues during endoscopy. CLE has been shown to uniquely affect the diagnosis of early upper gastrointestinal cancers. Relevant literature was searched using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Despite inherent flaws, CLE can reduce tissue damage and improve diagnostic accuracy to a certain extent. CLE in combination with other imaging methods can help enhance the detection rate and avoid unnecessary biopsies in the management of esophageal or gastric cancer and precancerous lesions. CLE is of great significance in the diagnosis and surveillance of early cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Further technical innovations and the standardisation of CLE will make it more responsive to the needs of routine clinical applications.

Natural Course of Asymptomatic Upper Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Lesion of 2 cm or Less in Size

There is limited evidence of a natural course of an upper gastrointestinal (UGI)-subepithelial lesion (SEL) of 2 cm or less in size. This study aims to determine the natural course of UGI-SELs and find the risk factors of the endoscopic and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) findings associated with an increase in size. The medical records of 2539 patients with UGI-SELs between 2004 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 672 SELs of 2 cm or less in size were analyzed through EUS and followed up for at least 36 months. The mean follow-up duration was 68 months (range: 36-190 months), and 97 SELs (14.4%) showed an increase in size with a mean increase rate of 1.2 mm/year. Initial size (aOR 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.06), an endoscopic finding of a hemorrhagic spot (aOR 3.13, 95% CI 1.14-8.60), and an EUS finding of a lesion in the fourth layer (aOR 1.87, 95% CI (1.21-2.88) were related to an increase in size. An endoscopic finding of translucidity (aOR 0.28, 95% CI (0.10-0.76) and an EUS finding of calcification (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09-0.95) were inversely related to an increase in size. There was no death related to UGI-SELs during the follow-up. While most UGI-SELs of 2 cm or less in size showed no significant size change and favorable prognosis, an individualized follow-up strategy needs to be considered in case of the presence of hemorrhagic spots and lesions in the fourth layer.

Diagnostic performance of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle biopsy in upper gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors measuring 2-5 cm in size

BACKGROUND

Subepithelial tumors (SETs) in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract are frequently discovered during upper endoscopy, and their management is determined based on size and histopathological diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) in upper GI SETs of 2-5 cm in size.

METHODS

We included 63 patients who underwent EUS-FNB for upper GI SETs of 2-5 cm in size between January 2013 and February 2020. The diagnostic yield of EUS-FNB, ability of EUS-FNB in discriminating malignant from non-malignant lesions, and histopathological concordance between EUS-FNB specimens and resected specimens were evaluated.

RESULTS

Successful acquisition of macroscopic tissue cores was possible in all 63 cases, and the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNB was 92.1% (58/63). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNB in discriminating malignant from non-malignant lesions were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 85.3-100%), 87.8% (95% CI 79.9-87.8%), and 92.1% (95% CI 81.8-92.1%), respectively. Of the 26 SETs that were endoscopically or surgically resected after EUS-FNB, the histopathological concordance rate between the EUS-FNB specimens and resected specimens was 100% (24/24), except in two cases of inadequate results with EUS-FNB specimens.

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNB provides high diagnostic yield and high capability in discriminating malignant from non-malignant lesions in upper GI SETs of 2-5 cm in size.

Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection of upper gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors: A case series pilot study (with video)

INTRODUCTION

Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UW-EMR) has been recently introduced as an effective technique for rectal third layer subepithelial tumors. Therefore, we aimed to assess the safety, efficacy, and procedure time of UW-EMR for upper gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors (SETs) originating from the deep mucosal and/or submucosal layers.

METHODS

Between August 2018 to July 2022, a total of 17 SETs (7 duodenal SETs, 6 gastric SETs, and 4 esophageal SETs) were included in this study. On endoscopic ultrasound examinations, the tumors were found to be embedded in the submucosa without muscularis propria invasion. All SETs were resected successfully using UW-EMR. The characteristics of the tumors and their R0 resection rate, adverse event rate, and recurrence rate were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

The mean tumor size was 0.9 cm (range, 0.3-1.5 cm). En bloc resection and complete resection rates were 100%, respectively. The patients showed no complications such as perforation or bleeding. Histologic assessments of the resected tumors revealed 9 neuroendocrine tumors (7 on the duodenum, 2 on the stomach), 2 gastric cystica profunda, 1 gastric follicular lymphoma, 1 gastric fibromyxoma, 3 esophageal granular cell tumors, and 1 esophageal adenoid cystic carcinoma. The mean procedural time was 3.2 min (range, 1.3-8.7 minutes). The overall en bloc and complete resection rates were 100%, respectively. No recurrence was observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

UW-EMR is a safe and effective treatment for upper gastrointestinal SETs embedded in the submucosal layer. Further studies are needed to compare other endoscopic resection techniques.

Clinical outcomes of gastroduodenal neuroendocrine tumors according to their WHO grade: A single-institutional retrospective analysis

The management of gastroduodenal neuroendocrine tumor (NET) has been controversial between radical surgical resection and local excision including endoscopic resection. A gastroduodenal NET grade (G), measured by their mitotic rate and Ki67 proliferation index, is important to predict prognosis. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of gastroduodenal NET according to grades in order to identify poor prognostic factors of gastroduodenal NETs. Fifty-four gastroduodenal NETs diagnosed between December 2008 and December 2020 in a tertiary referral hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical outcomes of gastroduodenal NETs, according to tumor grades and factors associated with NET G2-3, were analyzed. A total of 52 gastroduodenal NET patients was enrolled. The mean follow-up period was 56.2 ± 40.1 months. The mean size of gastric and duodenal NET was 7.9 ± 11.0 mm and 9.8 ± 7.6 mm, respectively. During the study period, 72.7% (16/22) of gastric NETs and 83.3% (25/30) of duodenal NETS were G1. All G1 gastroduodenal NETs showed no lymph node or distant metastasis during the study periods. All G3 gastroduodenal NETs showed metastasis (one lymph node metastasis and 3 hepatic metastases). Among metastatic NETs, the smallest tumor size was a 13 mm gastric G3 NET. Factors associated with G2-3 NETs were larger tumor size, mucosal ulceration, proper muscle or deeper invasion, and lymphovascular invasion. A small-sized gastroduodenal NET confined to submucosa without surface ulceration may be suitable for endoscopic resection. After local resection of a gastroduodenal NET (G1) without lymphovascular and muscle proper invasion, follow-up examination without radical surgical resection can be recommended. G3 NETs may be treated by radical surgical resection, regardless of tumor size.

A Gastroenterologist's Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These tumors have been shown to harbor oncogenic mutations of the c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA). Immunohistochemical analysis of GISTs allows for the differentiation of these tumors from other mesenchymal tumors of the GI tract such as leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas. All GISTs have the potential to behave in a malignant fashion. Tumor location, size, and mitotic index are factors used to predict the risk of malignant behavior. Endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound play a critical role in the diagnosis of GISTs and can yield important information to further risk-stratify tumors and determine management. This article provides a gastroenterologist's perspective on the diagnosis and management of GISTs.

Correlation between endoscopic resection outcomes and endosonographic findings in gastric tumors with muscularis propria origin

Endoscopic resection is an effective treatment for subepithelial tumors arising from the muscularis propria layer of the stomach. However, the invasion pattern revealed by the pathological examination of tumor specimens is often not consistent with the findings of preprocedural endoscopic ultrasounds (EUS). We compared the real growing patterns of tumors, as evaluated on histopathological examination, with their EUS images, and analyzed the outcomes of endoscopic resections in relation to the EUS findings. From January 2006 to June 2015, 32 patients underwent endoscopic resection for gastric tumors originating from the muscularis propria at our hospital. We divided the patients into 3 groups according to the location of the tumor as diagnosed using pre procedural EUS: submucosa (group I, n = 5), muscularis propria (group II, n = 14), and tumors extending into the outer cavity (group III, n = 13). Histopathological examination revealed 15 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), 14 with leiomyomas, and 3 with schwannomas. Accuracy of EUS in evaluating tumor invasion was 56%. Some tumors in groups I and II was removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection only. Muscular dissection was needed in 10 patients (71%) in group II and 9 patients (69%) in group III. Four patients (31%) in group III were found to have subserosal tumors. The complete resection rate was 88% (23 patients) among patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic muscular dissection, and 67% (4 patients) among patients who underwent endoscopic subserosal dissection (ESSD). The tumor was completely removed in 12 patients (86%) in group II and 10 patients (77%) in group III. EUS accurately predicts the layer of the subepithelial tumor in the stomach; however, the pattern of invasion of surrounding structures is difficult to evaluate using EUS.

Natural History of Asymptomatic Esophageal Subepithelial Tumors of 30 mm or Less in Size

BACKGROUND

No definite guidelines for the management of small esophageal subepithelial tumors (SETs) have been established, because there are limited data and studies on their natural history. We aimed to assess the natural history and propose optimal management strategies for small esophageal SETs.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed as esophageal SETs ≤ 30 mm in size between 2003 and 2017 using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with a minimal follow-up of 3 months were enrolled, and their esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and EUS were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 275 esophageal SETs in 262 patients, the initial size was < 10 mm, 10-20 mm, and 20-30 mm in 104 (37.8%), 105 (38.2%), and 66 (24.0%) lesions, respectively. Only 22 (8.0%) SETs showed significant changes in size and/or echogenicity and/or morphology at a median of 40 months (range, 4-120 months). Tissues of 6 SETs showing interval changes were obtained using EUS-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy; 1 was identified as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and was surgically resected, while the other 5 were leiomyomas and were regularly observed. Eight SETs showing interval changes were resected surgically or endoscopically without pathological confirmation; 1 was a GIST, 2 were granular cell tumors, and the other 5 were leiomyomas.

CONCLUSION

Regular follow-up with EGD or EUS may be necessary for esophageal SETs ≤ 30 mm in size considering that small portion of them has a possibility of malignant potential. When esophageal SETs ≤ 30 mm show significant interval changes, pathological confirmation may precede treatment to avoid unnecessary resection.

Gastric subepithelial tumor: long-term natural history and risk factors for progression

BACKGROUND

Subepithelial tumors are often detected incidentally during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, their natural history and clinical management have yet to be clearly established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural history and risk factors for progression of gastric SETs.

METHODS

The study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with gastric SET using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between January 2005 and December 2017. Tumor progression was defined by a ≥ 25% increase in diameter.

RESULTS

Among 3237 patients, 1859 underwent serial upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for more than six months. Endoscopic ultrasonography was further performed in 733 (39.43%) patients. Resection was performed in 73 (3.93%) patients. Tumor progressed in 138 (7.42%) patients over a mean follow-up period of 59.41 months (range, 5-215 months). In progressed tumors, the mean initial size was 15.01 mm (range, 2-50 mm) and the mean size increment was 12.86 mm (range, 3-50 mm). Large initial tumor size (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), surface ulcer or erosion (OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.21-5.06), lobulated shape (OR: 3.76, 95% CI: 2.00-7.06), and middle-third location (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.08-2.52) were significant risk factors for tumor progression. Large SETs had higher rates of progression and tended to grow faster than smaller tumors (r = 0.44, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of gastric SETs did not increase in size during the long-term follow-up. Serial endoscopy may be sufficient as a follow-up tool for small SETs with intact overlying mucosa without lobulated shape.

The Diagnosis of Small Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Lesions by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration and Biopsy

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has been widely accepted in the diagnosis of all types of tumors, especially pancreatic tumors, lymph nodes, and subepithelial lesions (SELs). One reason is that the examination can provide a detailed observation, with tissue samples being immediately obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). Many SELs are detected incidentally during endoscopic examinations without symptoms. Most SELs are mesenchymal tumors originating from the fourth layer, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), leiomyomas, and schwannomas. GISTs are potentially malignant. Surgical treatment is recommended for localized GISTs of ≥20 mm. However, the indications for the diagnosis and follow-up of GISTs of <20 mm in size are controversial. There are several reports on the rapid progression or metastasis of small GISTs. Therefore, it is important to determine whether a SEL is a GIST or not. The main diagnostic method is EUS-FNA. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) using a new biopsy needle has been reported to obtain larger tissue samples. Additionally, various biopsy methods have been reported to have a high diagnostic rate for small GISTs. In local gastric SELs, regardless of the tumor size, EUS can be performed first; then, EUS-FNA/B or various biopsy methods can be used to obtain tissue samples for decision-making in relation to therapy and the follow-up period.

Systematic Endoscopic Approach for Diagnosing Gastric Subepithelial Tumors

Subepithelial tumors (SETs) are commonly encountered during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, especially during national gastric cancer screening programs in Korea. Although the majority of SETs are benign, endoscopists harbor concerns regarding whether a SET is benign or malignant because the diagnosis cannot be established on the basis of routine endoscopic biopsy findings. The differential diagnosis of SETs is important, beginning with meticulous endoscopic examination, including the evaluation of the location, macroscopic shape, color, surface characteristics, mobility, consistency, and size of the tumors. The yield of endoscopic biopsy increases with the use of the bite-on-bite technique for SETs without the rolling or tenting sign, with large openings, and with erosion or ulceration. In this review, a systematic approach for the diagnosis of gastric SETs during conventional endoscopy is introduced.

Predictive Factors for Differentiating Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors from Leiomyomas Based on Endoscopic Ultrasonography Findings in Patients with Gastric Subepithelial Tumors: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Background/Aims

The utility of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for differentiating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and leiomyomas of the stomach is not well known. We aimed to evaluate the ability of EUS for differentiating gastric GISTs and leiomyomas.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with histopathologically proven GISTs (n=274) and leiomyomas (n=87). In two consensus meetings, the inter-observer variability in the EUS image analysis was reduced. Using logistic regression analyses, we selected predictive factors and constructed a predictive model and nomogram for differentiating GISTs from leiomyomas. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to measure the discrimination performance in the development and internal validation sets.

Results

Multivariate analysis identified heterogeneity (odds ratio [OR], 9.48), non-cardia (OR, 19.11), and older age (OR, 1.06) as independent predictors of GISTs. The areas under the ROC curve of the predictive model using age, sex, and four EUS factors (homogeneity, location, anechoic spaces, and dimpling or ulcer) were 0.916 (sensitivity, 0.908; specificity, 0.793) and 0.904 (sensitivity, 0.908; specificity, 0.782) in the development and internal validation sets, respectively.

Conclusions

The predictive model and nomogram using age, sex and homogeneity, tumor location, presence of anechoic spaces, and presence of dimpling or ulcer on EUS may facilitate differentiation between GISTs and leiomyomas.

Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection of a follicular lymphoma: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic resection of a follicular lymphoma (FL) presenting as a gastric subepithelial tumor (SET), along with periodic follow up can be a treatment option because gastrointestinal FL cells tend to reside in the primary site, which may explain its indolent nature.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A gastric lesion was found incidentally during a screening endoscopy in 73-year-old woman without any gastrointestinal symptom.

DIAGNOSIS

The patient was diagnosed with a grade I FL that was 1.4 cm large, at the greater curvature of lower-body.

INTERVENTION

We performed underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UW-EMR), and there was no serious complication, such as bleeding and perforation.

OUTCOMES

Complete en bloc resection was achieved with UW-EMR. Follow-up endoscopic biopsy after 3 months revealed no residual tumor on the resection site.

CONCLUSION

UW-EMR may be a simple and safe resection method for gastric FL without metastases, that measure >1 cm.

Endoscopic Resection for Gastric Subepithelial Tumor with Backup Laparoscopic Surgery: Description of a Single-Center Experience

The aim of this study was to analyze patients who underwent endoscopic resection (ER) for gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) with a high probability of surgical intervention. Between January 2013 and January 2021, 83 patients underwent ER at the operation theater and 27 patients (32.5%) required backup surgery mainly due to incidental perforation or uncontrolled bleeding despite endoscopic repairing. The tumor was predominantly located in the upper-third stomach (81%) with a size ≤ 2 cm (69.9%) and deep to the muscularis propria (MP) layer (92.8%) but there were no significant differences between two groups except tumor exophytic growth as a risk factor in the surgery group (37% vs. 0%, p < 0.0001). Patients in the ER-only group had shorter durations of procedure times (60 min vs. 185 min, p < 0.0001) and lengths of stay (5 days vs. 7 days, p < 0.0001) but with a higher percentage of overall morbidity graded III (0% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.1571). After ER, five patients (6%) had delayed perforation and two (2.4%) required emergent laparoscopic surgery. Neither recurrence nor gastric stenosis was reported during long-term surveillance. Here, we provide a minimally invasive strategy of endoscopic resection with backup laparoscopic surgery for gastric SETs.

The Pathologic Confirmation in Subepithelial Tumors

Background/Aims: Subepithelial tumors (SETs) are small, mostly asymptomatic lesions with normal overlying mucosa, usually identified incidentally on endoscopy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathologic diagnosis of SETs, and to assess the diagnostic yield and impact of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) biopsy on the management of patients with SETs.Materials and Methods: We included 52 subepithelial lesions in this study during the study period. Inclusion criteria included size of the SET >2 cm, and a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) that cannot be excluded using EUS. We performed an endoscopic biopsy of each SET using the ESD technique.Results: The mean diameter of the lesions was 24.15±6.0 mm. The diagnostic yield of this method was 96.15%. Among the 52 participants, 45 were located in the stomach, four in the esophagus, and three in the duodenum. The pathologic diagnoses included: 17 leiomyomas, 13 GISTs, 11 ectopic pancreases, two carcinomas, two inflammatory fibroid polyps, two Brunner’s gland hyperplasia, two lipomas, one glomus tumor, and two remained undiagnosed. The mean duration of the procedure was 13.44±2.41 minutes. Three complications were associated with the procedure.Conclusions: Deep biopsy via ESD is useful in determining the histopathologic nature of SETs. This method minimizes the need for unnecessary surgery in benign SETs.

Successful endoscopic resection of an unusually enlarged and pedunculated type I gastric carcinoid tumour

Three distinct gastric carcinoid (GC) tumour types have been described based on differing biological behaviour and prognoses. Type I GC tumours account for the vast majority (70%-80%), are associated with chronic atrophic gastritis and have a low metastatic potential. Type II carcinoid tumours are the least common (5%-10%), are related to Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and occur in relation to multiple neoplasia type I. Sporadic type III tumours (15%-25%) are the most aggressive type, are unrelated to gastrin over secretion and carry the worst prognosis. In this case report, we present a patient with longstanding gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who presented with epigastric abdominal pain and tarry stools and was found to have a large gastric polyp on endoscopy. Despite current literature recommending surgical resection for larger GC tumours, endoscopic resection was successfully used to excise the tumour with pathology demonstrating complete resection with negative margins.

Diagnostic yields of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle tissue acquisition according to the gastric location

The diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle tissue acquisition (EUS-FNTA) according to the gastric location of subepithelial tumors (SETs) has not been well established. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of EUS-FNTA for the diagnosis of gastric SETs according to tumor location.Thirty-three patients diagnosed with gastric SETs via EUS-FNTA from January 2016 to May 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Patient demographics, diagnostic yields, and complications were evaluated.Nineteen patients (57.6%) were female, with a mean age of 57.7 years. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed a mean longitudinal diameter of 25.6 mm. The most common location of SETs was in the gastric body (n = 18, 54.5%), followed by cardia and fundus (n = 10, 30.3%), and antrum (n = 5, 15.2%). A 20-gauge biopsy needle was most frequently used (90.9%). The diagnostic yield was obtained in 23 patients (69.7%). The most common diagnosis was gastrointestinal stromal tumor (73.9%), followed by leiomyoma (17.4%). The diagnostic yield of SETs in gastric antrum (0/5, 0%) was significantly lower than that in the gastric body and cardia (23/28, 82.1%, P = .001). A case of immediate bleeding after EUS-FNTA occurred in 1 patient (3.0%) who recovered uneventfully. According to related literature, the overall diagnostic yield of SETs in gastric antrum was significantly lower than that in the gastric body, fundus, and cardia (29.7% vs 71.4%, P < .001, n = 191).EUS-FNTA is ineffective in the diagnosis of SETs in the gastric antrum. Although EUS-FNTA is an advanced diagnostic tool for gastric SETs, it is essential to develop more effective methods for the diagnosis of antral SETs.

Improved submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection with slant tunnel for submucosal tumors in proximal esophagus

BACKGROUND

The improved submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) with slant tunnel was created by our group innovatively for submucosal tumors (SMTs) in the proximal esophagus. This study aimed to provide the preliminary results of the improved STER from our center.

METHODS

The key step of the improved STER is establishing a slant tunnel instead of a vertical tunnel. After a longitudinal incision was made proximally in the inclined top to the tumor, a submucosal tunnel was established from the incision to the SMT slantingly. 28 patients undergoing STER with slant tunnel were enrolled in the retrospective study. Clinical results including en bloc resection, curative resection and complication were collected.

RESULTS

All the submucous tumors located at proximal esophagus originated from muscularis propria were successfully resected by the innovative STER. Tumor size ranged from 18-43 mm, with 96.4% (27/28) en bloc resection rate and 92.9% (26/28) curative rate. Three patients suffered complication, 1 patient with mild pleural effusion and another 2 patients with fever for one day. All of the complications were cured by conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

STER with slant tunnel seems to provide an optional treatment for tumors in proximal esophagus.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a review of current and emerging therapies

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare neoplasms arising from the interstitial cell of Cajal in the gastrointestinal tract. Two thirds of GIST in adult patients have c-Kit mutation and smaller fractions have platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mutation. Surgery is the only curative treatment for localized disease. Imatinib improves survival when used adjuvantly and in advanced disease. Several targeted therapies have also improved survival in GIST patients after progression on imatinib including sunitinib and regorafenib. Recently, United States Federal and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of heavily pretreated advanced/unresectable GIST including avapritinib (a selective inhibitor for PDGFRA exon 18 mutation including D842V mutations) and ripretinib (a broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor of c-Kit and PDGFRA). In this article, we will provide a comprehensive review of GIST including the current standard of care treatment and exploring future paradigm shifts in therapy.

Preoperative imaging of gastric GISTs underestimates pathologic tumor size: A retrospective, single institution analysis

BACKGROUND

How well imaging size agrees with pathologic size of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is unknown. GIST risk stratification is based on pathologic size, location, and mitotic rate. To inform decision making, the size discrepancy between imaging and pathology for gastric GISTs was investigated.

METHODS

Imaging and pathology reports were reviewed for 113 patients. Bland-Altman analyses and intraclass correlation (ICC) assessed agreement of imaging and pathology. Changes in clinical risk category due to size discrepancy were identified.

RESULTS

Computed tomography (CT) (n = 110) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) (n = 50) underestimated pathologic size for gastric GISTs by 0.42 cm, 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.11, 0.73), p = 0.008 and 0.54 cm, 95% CI: (0.25, 0.82), p < 0.001, respectively. ICCs were 0.94 and 0.88 for CT and EUS, respectively. For GISTs ≤ 3 cm, size underestimation was 0.24 cm for CT (n = 28), 95% CI: (0.01, 0.47), p = 0.039 and 0.56 cm for EUS (n = 26), 95% CI: (0.27, 0.84), p < 0.0001. ICCs were 0.72 and 0.55 for CT and EUS, respectively. Spearman's correlation was ≥0.84 for all groups. For GISTs ≤ 3 cm, 6/28 (21.4% p = 0.01) on CT and 7/26 (26.9% p = 0.005) on EUS upgraded risk category using pathologic size versus imaging size. No GISTs ≤ 3 cm downgraded risk categories. Size underestimation persisted for GISTs ≤ 2 cm on EUS (0.39 cm, 95% CI: [0.06, 0.72], p = 0.02, post hoc analysis).

CONCLUSION

Imaging, particularly EUS, underestimates gastric GIST size. Caution should be exercised using imaging alone to risk-stratify gastric GISTs, and to decide between surveillance versus surgery.

Feasibility of Non-Exposure Simple Suturing Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection in Comparison with Laparoscopic Endoscopic Cooperative Surgery for Gastric Subepithelial Tumors: Results of Two Independent Prospective Trials

Simple Summary

Nonexposure simple suturing endoscopic full-thickness resection (NESS-EFTR) is a recently developed method to prevent the exposure of tumor cells, and we performed a small prospective trial of NESS-EFTR for gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs). In this study, we compared the results of NESS-EFTR trial with those of another small prospective trial of laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery which was performed in different time period. The results of this study show the feasibility of NESS-EFTR for gastric SETs and provide evidence for the clinical application of the NESS-EFTR procedure.

Abstract

Recently, nonexposure simple suturing endoscopic full-thickness resection (NESS-EFTR) method was developed to avoid tumor exposure to the peritoneal cavity. The aim of this study is to compare the short-term outcomes of the NESS-EFTR method with those of laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) for gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs). A prospective single-center trial of LECS for gastric SETs was performed from March 2012 to October 2013 with a separate prospective trial of NESS-EFTR performed from August 2015 to June 2017, enrolling 15 patients each. Among the 30 enrolled patients, 14 who underwent LECS and 11 who underwent NESS-EFTR were finally included in the analysis. The rate of complete resection and successful closure was 100% in both groups. The operating time was longer for NESS-EFTR group than for LECS (110 vs. 189 min; p < 0.0001). There were no postoperative complications except one case of transient fever in the NESS-EFTR group. One patient in the LECS group had peritoneal seeding of gastrointestinal stromal tumor at 17 months postoperatively, and there was no other recurrence. Although NESS-EFTR had long operating and procedure times, it was feasible for patients with gastric SETs requiring a nonexposure technique.

Massive Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage Unusual Presentation of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors of the Jejunum: Case Report and Literature Review

Although gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors, they are the most common tumors of mesenchymal origin of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs present with nonspecific clinical manifestation and they are discovered incidentally during endoscopic or radiological investigations. Massive life-threatening bleeding that requires urgent surgery is rare. We present a case of small bowel GIST that presented with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding that required urgent surgical intervention.

Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy and Other Applications of Third Space Endoscopy: Current Status and Future Perspectives

INTRODUCTION

The modification of NOTES (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) by mucosal safety flap has introduced us to the world of third space endoscopy (TSE). POEM (per-oral endoscopic myotomy) for achalasia cardia being its first vista, the realm expanded so that we can now remove en bloc a subepithelial/intramural tumor by POET (per-oral endoscopic tumor resection), perform G-POEM (gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy) for refractory gastroparesis, restore esophageal continuity in complete obstruction by performing POETRE (per-oral endoscopic tunneling for the restoration of the esophagus), divide the septum in Zenker diverticulum completely with negligible risk of perforation by Z-POEM (Zenker per-oral endoscopic myotomy) and relieve constipation in Hirschsprung disease by PREM (per-rectal endoscopic myotomy). However, the real potential of TSE became evident with the introduction of POEM with fundoplication. TSE has opened the gates of the peritoneal cavity. Improved expertise and equipment will make the role of endoscopist complimentary to the surgeon with the dawn of a new field in therapeutic endoscopy.

AREAS COVERED

This review intends to comprehensively discuss the various aspects of POEM for achalasia studied so far followed by a brief discussion about other applications of TSE and the future perspectives in this exciting field.

Comparison of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Application on Mucosal Tumor and Subepithelial Tumor in stomach

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection is minimal invasive endoscopic procedure to deal with gastric tumor. Initially, it was developed to resect mucosal neoplasm since 2000 and extended its application to submucosal tumor in the following years. Although the basic ESD skills are similar in gastric mucosal tumor and subepithelial tumor, the success rate, complication may be different between the two types of gastric tumor resection. This retrospective study is conducted to analyze the ESD procedure in gastric mucosal tumor and subepithelial tumor. Methods: From 2007 to 2016, we reviewed all patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric mucosal tumor and subepithelial tumor in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. Results: Totally, 35 patients with gastric subepithelial tumor and 41 patients with gastric mucosal tumor received endoscopic submucosal dissection are enrolled. Among 35 patients with subepithelial tumor, 32 (91.4%) patients achieved curative treatment. 1 patient received emergent operation and 2 patients received salvage operation to complete tumor resection. 8 patients (22.9%) occurred perforation and no delay bleeding was found. Among 41 patients with mucosal neoplasm, 30 (71.4%) patients achieved curative treatment. 2 patients received emergent operation and 9 patients received salvage operation to complete tumor resection. 9 patients (21.9%) occurred complication, 6 patients occurred delay bleeding and 3 patients had perforation. Conclusions: Comparing ESD between gastric mucosal tumor and subepithelial tumor, ESD had similar efficiency in curative treatment. However, ESD in subepethelial tumor encountered higher perforation and lesser delay bleeding.

Polypoid lesions detected in the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: A retrospective analysis in 19560 patients, a single-center study of a 5-year experience in Turkey

OBJECTIVE:

In our study, we aimed to evaluate the endoscopic features such as prevalence and localization of polypoid lesions determined by us using esophagogastroduodenoscopy and histopathological characteristics of biopsy specimens taken in detail.

METHODS:

The data of 19,560 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for any reason between 2009 and 2015 in our endoscopy unit were screened retrospectively and endoscopic and histopathological findings were analyzed in detail.

RESULTS:

In our study, the polypoid lesion was detected in 1.60% (n=313) of 19,560 patients. The most common localization of the polypoid lesions was determined to be gastric localization (n=301, 96.2%) and antrum with a rate of 33.5% (n=105). When 272 patients in whom biopsy specimen could be taken was investigated, the most frequently seen lesion was polyp (n=115, 43.4%). Hyperplastic polyps (n=81, 29.8%) were the most frequently seen type among all polyps. In histopathological evaluation of the lesions, the prevalence rates of intestinal metaplasia (IM), surrounding tissue IM, atrophy, dysplasia, and neoplasia (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, neuroendocrine tumor, and metastatic tumor) among premalignant lesions were determined to be 16.9%, 11.2%, 4.1%, 1.1%, and 3.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Polypoid lesions can be seen in endoscopic investigations. In histopathological investigations, while the vast majority of these lesions are benign polyps, some of them are diagnosed as premalignant or malignant lesions. In our study, we determined malignant lesions higher than the similar studies in the literature. This condition shows how effective endoscopic procedure and histopathological evaluation are of vital importance.

Full-thickness resection device (FTRD) for treatment of upper gastrointestinal tract lesions: the first international experience

Background and study aims  The Full-Thickness Resection Device (FTRD) provides a novel treatment option for lesions not amenable to conventional endoscopic resection techniques. There are limited data on the efficacy and safety of FTRD for resection of upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) lesions. Patients and methods  This was an international multicenter retrospective study, including patients who had an endoscopic resection of an upper GIT lesion using the FTRD between January 2017 and February 2019. Results  Fifty-six patients from 13 centers were included. The most common lesions were mesenchymal neoplasms (n = 23, 41 %), adenomas (n = 7, 13 %), and hamartomas (n = 6, 11 %). Eighty-four percent of lesions were located in the stomach, and 14 % in the duodenum. The average size of lesions was 14 mm (range 3 to 33 mm). Deployment of the FTRD was technically successful in 93 % of patients (n = 52) leading to complete and partial resection in 43 (77 %) and 9 (16 %) patients, respectively. Overall, the FTRD led to negative histological margins (R0 resection) in 38 (68 %) of patients. A total of 12 (21 %) mild or moderate adverse events (AEs) were reported. Follow-up endoscopy was performed in 31 patients (55 %), on average 88 days after the procedure (IQR 68-138 days). Of these, 30 patients (97 %) did not have any residual or recurrent lesion on endoscopic examination and biopsy, with residual adenoma in one patient (3 %). Conclusions  Our results suggest a high technical success rate and an acceptable histologically complete resection rate, with a low risk of AEs and early recurrence for FTRD resection of upper GIT lesions.

Application of A Convolutional Neural Network in The Diagnosis of Gastric Mesenchymal Tumors on Endoscopic Ultrasonography Images

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a useful diagnostic modality for evaluating gastric mesenchymal tumors; however, differentiating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) from benign mesenchymal tumors such as leiomyomas and schwannomas remains challenging. For this reason, we developed a convolutional neural network computer-aided diagnosis (CNN-CAD) system that can analyze gastric mesenchymal tumors on EUS images.

METHODS

A total of 905 EUS images of gastric mesenchymal tumors (pathologically confirmed GIST, leiomyoma, and schwannoma) were used as a training dataset. Validation was performed using 212 EUS images of gastric mesenchymal tumors. This test dataset was interpreted by three experienced and three junior endoscopists.

RESULTS

The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the CNN-CAD system for differentiating GISTs from non-GIST tumors were 83.0%, 75.5%, and 79.2%, respectively. Its diagnostic specificity and accuracy were significantly higher than those of two experienced and one junior endoscopists. In the further sequential analysis to differentiate leiomyoma from schwannoma in non-GIST tumors, the final diagnostic accuracy of the CNN-CAD system was 72.5%, which was significantly higher than that of two experienced and one junior endoscopists.

CONCLUSIONS

Our CNN-CAD system showed high accuracy in diagnosing gastric mesenchymal tumors on EUS images. It may complement the current clinical practices in the EUS diagnosis of gastric mesenchymal tumors.

A Novel Snare Traction-Assisted Method During Endoscopic Resection for Upper Gastrointestinal Submucosal Tumors

Background: Traction-assisted endoscopic resection is an approach to provide better procedural outcomes than conventional endoscopic procedure in treating gastric or esophageal epithelial lesions. Submucosal tumors (SMTs) are challenging to resect endoscopically due to the difficulty in exposure and high incidence of full-thickness resection. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of snare traction-assisted method, served as an "extra hand," for upper gastrointestinal SMTs. Methods: From June 2019 to May 2020, we used the snare traction-assisted method to treat 11 patients with 12 upper gastrointestinal SMTs in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University. The duration of the procedures and the outcomes were recorded. Results: A total of 11 patients with 12 lesions were treated by snare traction-assisted endoscopic resection. The mean procedure time was 26.8 ± 8.3 minutes. En bloc resection was achieved in all the 12 lesions. The mean length of the specimens was 11.5 ± 4.0 mm. Full-thickness resection was performed in four lesions. The patients were discharged in 5.0 days after procedures without delayed bleeding or other complication reported. Conclusion: Snare traction-assisted method is an effective tool for endoscopic resection of upper gastrointestinal SMTs. Further prospective studies comparing the snare traction-assisted method with the conventional procedure are necessary.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease in the stomach presenting as a gastric subepithelial tumor: Case report

INTRODUCTION

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated fibroinflammatory disorder characterized by specific pathologic findings and often, but not in all cases, elevated serum IgG4 concentration. Although it can virtually involve every organ system, cases involving the gastrointestinal tract and especially gastric mass lesions have rarely been reported.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 45-year-old man, who was incidentally discovered asymptomatic subepithelial tumor (SET), by endoscopy, on the greater curvature of the upper gastric body, was referred to our hospital for further evaluation.

DIAGNOSIS

The patient was postoperatively diagnosed with IgG4-RD by histopathologic results.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent laparoscopic wedge resection.

OUTCOMES

The patient is presently followed up annually in our clinic and had no problems and showed no signs of recurrence in examination.

CONCLUSION

We reported a rare case of IgG4-RD presenting as a gastric SET. The first line treatment of IgG4-RD is glucocorticoid administration. However, because pathologic examination is challenging owing to the lesion location, preoperative diagnosis is difficult and may lead to unnecessary gastric resection. Thus, using alternative preoperative diagnostic methods such as endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy or the biopsy unroofing technique could spare the patient from unnecessary surgical treatment.

Submucosal Tunnel Endoscopic Resection of Gastric Lesion Before Obesity Surgery: a Case Series

BACKGROUND

Submucosal tumors (SMTs) of the gastrointestinal tract are a rare pathological entity comprising a wide variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. Even if most SMTs are benign tumors (e.g., leiomyomas), a smaller portion may have a malignant potential (e.g., gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)). Preoperative diagnosis of SMT in bariatric patients may arise challenging clinical dilemmas. Long-term surveillance may be difficult after bariatric surgery. Moreover, according to SMT location, its presence may interfere with planned surgery. Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) has emerged as an effective approach for minimally invasive en bloc excision of SMTs. This is the first case series of STER for SMTs before bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Seven female patients underwent STER for removal of SMTs before bariatric surgery. All lesions were incidentally diagnosed at preoperative endoscopy. STER procedural steps comprised mucosal incision, submucosal tunneling, lesion enucleation, and closure of mucosal defect.

RESULTS

En bloc removal of SMT was achieved in all cases. Mean procedural time was of 45 min (SD 18.6). No adverse event occurred. Mean size of the lesions was 20.6 mm (SD 5.8). Histological diagnoses were 5 leyomiomas, 1 lipoma, and 1 low grade GIST. Bariatric procedure was performed after a mean period of 4.1 months (SD 1.6) from endoscopic resection.

CONCLUSION

STER is a safe and effective treatment for the management of SMT even in bariatric patients awaiting surgery. Preoperative endoscopic resection of SMTs has the advantages of reducing the need for surveillance and removing lesions that could interfere with planned surgery. STER did not altered accomplishment of bariatric procedures.

Peroral endoscopic tumor resection (POET) with preserved mucosa technique for management of upper gastrointestinal tract subepithelial tumors

BACKGROUND

Third space endoscopy technique facilitates therapeutic endoscopy in subepithelial space. This study aimed to investigate peroral endoscopic tumor resection (POET) with preserved mucosa technique for upper gastrointestinal tract subepithelial tumors (UGI-SETs) removal.

METHODS

Between February 2011 and December 2019, consecutive patients with SETs of esophagus and stomach who underwent POET for enlarging size during follow-up, malignant endoscopic ultrasound features or by patient's request were enrolled. Demographic, endoscopic and pathological data were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Totally 18 esophageal (mean ± SD age, 55.23 ± 4.15 year-old, 38.89% female) and 30 gastric (52.65 ± 2.43 year-old, 53.33% female) SETs in 47 patients (one with both esophageal and gastric lesions) were resected. The mean (± SD) endoscopic/pathological tumor size, procedure time, en-bloc/complete resection rate, and hospital stays of esophageal and gastric SET patients were 12.36 (± 7.89)/11.86 (± 5.67) and 12.57 (± 6.25)/12.35 (± 5.73) mm, 14.86 (± 6.15) and 38.21 (± 15.29) minutes, 88.89%/94.44% and 86.77%/93.30%, and 4.14 (± 0.21) and 4.17 (± 0.20) days, respectively. The overall complication rate was 18.75%, including 6 self-limited fever and 3 pneumoperitoneum relieved by needle puncture. There was no mortality or recurrence reported with mean follow-up period of 23.74 (± 4.12) months.

CONCLUSIONS

POET is a safe and efficient third space endoscopic resection technique for removal of UGI-SETs less than 20 mm. Long term data are warranted to validate these results.